2025 Montgomery County Kennel Club Best Junior Handler – Taylor Stone

2025 Montgomery County Kennel Club Best Junior Handler – Taylor Stone

1. Congratulations, Taylor, on your Best Junior Handler win at the 2025 Montgomery County Kennel Club All-Terrier Show! Is it a dream come true?

Taylor Stone: Yes! Montgomery County is an extremely prestigious show and being awarded Best Junior was very special.

2. How was the overall experience of being in Pennsylvania for you? Were you busy all weekend?

Taylor Stone: Moving the RV to all of the different locations was definitely a lot, but I think it makes these shows all the more special. It’s a reminder of how dog shows used to be and how lucky we are in the present. It was an honor to work for Margery Good and be surrounded by so many quality terriers, in and out of our setup.

3. Who was the first person you called or texted after you’d won?

Taylor Stone: I was lucky enough to have my two biggest supporters ringside and, of course, all of Team Stache!

4. How have you celebrated your victory? Did you and your dog enjoy a special meal that night?

Taylor Stone: Stache and I got to do a victory lap during Groups and, of course, he got all the cookies.

5. You’ve shown several different dogs in Juniors. How did you choose which dog to show this year?

Taylor Stone: A couple months ago, I was approached by Margery Good as she was looking for an assistant during terrier week. I took her up on the offer and she was gracious enough to offer her Sealyham Terrier, Stache, as a Junior dog for the big day!

6. What does your dog mean to you now that you share this win together?

Taylor Stone: Stache has previously won Best in Show and Best Bred-By in Show at Montgomery County, and this year he returned to win Best Junior. He now holds what we like to call the “Triple Crown,” which makes him all the more special.

7. How has Junior Handling made a difference in your life? In your family’s life?

Taylor Stone: The sport of dogs has changed my life, and Juniors is just the start. I plan to dedicate myself entirely to the sport and I couldn’t be more excited!

8. Would you like to say a few words to this year’s judge? To your competitors?

Taylor Stone: To this year’s judge, Mrs. Conti, thank you! It was an honor to be in your final lineup of extremely talented terrier Juniors. And to all of my competitors, THANK YOU! You are what constantly push me to become better and I wouldn’t be here without you.

9. Can you offer any advice to Juniors looking to compete at next year’s Montgomery?

Taylor Stone: Never stop learning. Always try to surround yourself with the best of the best, because they will be able to teach you the most. Study your Breed Standards so that, as breeders, you can preserve the breeds. That’s why we do this, after all!

10. What’s next for Taylor Stone?

Taylor Stone: I age-out of Juniors next month, and I plan to focus more on my breeding program and getting a start in the right direction. After that, I would like to continue working for a handler so that I can keep growing.